911 tapes capture moments after child’s leg is severed

NEWPORT NEWS, Va (WTVR) – Newly released 911 tapes capture moments of panic after a 10-year-old boy’s leg is cut off by a train. The child, who is recovering at the hospital, was playing on railroad tracks in Newport News with friends when his leg got caught beneath the train and was severed below the knee.

James Slater lives near the tracks and called 911 to complain about the children playing on moving trains. He was on the phone with the 911 operator when he heard the screams.

“Ah, I think someone’s screaming,” Slater can be heard saying on the tape. You can then hear a child screaming, before Slater says: “Oh my God. He’s lost his leg.”

You can then hear the operator gasp, as Slater warns other bystanders to stay back.

The operator then asks, “Sir, where do you see the other part of his leg?”

“His dad is up on the tracks looking for it,” Slater answers. You can then hear a child cry, “I’m going to die.”